After stuttering in the early stages of in their opening match, Argentina's attack will need to use all its talent to find a way to break through Iran's stubborn defence.

Lionel Messi's remarks earlier this week about the team's tactics in the first match sparked speculation that Argentina's captain wasn't seeing eye-to-eye with coach Alejandro Sabella.

Whatever formation Argentina uses against Iran, the South Americans will need to be patient against a lineup that held Nigeria to a 0-0 draw in their first match.

Messi said Argentina made too many mistakes against Bosnia-Herzegovina despite winning 2-1, starting the match with two attackers instead of three and playing a 5-3-2 formation in the first half. Messi prefers a 4-3-3 and Argentine media reports said he and other players insisted at half-time that Sabella needed to change tactics.

A win for Argentina against Iran will give the South Americans a firm grip on Group H, but Iran's defence is a potential impediment.

Venue: Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte

Kick-off: June 21, 1600GMT

Key stats: Argentina will progress to the second round with a win.

Iran will remain in contention to qualify regardless of the result.

The two countries have only met once before; a friendly in Madrid in 1977 which ended 1-1.